they met with president obama to discuss the fiscal cliff. the president is putting pressure on republicans to keep middle class americans from falling off the fiscal cliff at the end of the year. but republicans are resisting any move that could end up raising taxes on the rich. we have the latest from washington. >> reporter: he says he wants a deal soon to cut spending but president obama is demanding republicans vote now to prevent the worst fall off the fiscal cliff, tax hikes on 98% of americans. >> the first job is to make sure tax on middle class families don't go up and since we all agree on this we should get that done. >> reporter: house democrats agree. >> if we can get a few house republicans to agree, as well, i will sign this bill. >> reporter: republican tom cole got on board. >> we all agree that we are not going to raise taxes on people that make less than $250,000. >> reporter: house speaker john boehner says no. once tax breaks get blocked democrats can go home for the holidays and on january 1 tax rates rise automatically